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El própolis y la salud
Propolis and human health
RESUMEN
El própolis es una resina cérea, de composición compleja y consistencia viscosa, que las abejas elaboran a partir de
partículas resinosas de diferentes vegetales y que utilizan en la construcción, reparación y protección de la colmena.
Ampliamente utilizado desde la antigüedad con diversas finalidades, actualmente se investigan las acciones, efectos
y posibles usos del própolis en biología y medicina, destacando su utilización como suplemento dietético y en la
industria farmacéutica.
En este trabajo se revisan las pruebas disponibles sobre las propiedades del própolis en el tratamiento y prevención
de distintos tipos de trastornos y para ello, tras un breve repaso a su origen y composición, se realiza una búsqueda
exhaustiva de la información bibliográfica disponible sobre sus propiedades, los parámetros utilizados para evaluar
su calidad y sus posibles efectos secundarios.
Los resultados obtenidos confirman su eficacia, principalmente, como antioxidante, antiinflamatorio y antimicrobiano.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Própolis. Actividad biológica. Indicaciones. Evaluación de la calidad. Efectos secundarios.
ABSTRACT
Propolis is a waxy resin, with a complex composition and viscous consistency, elaborated from different resinous
vegetable particles by bees and used in the construction, repair and protection of their hives. Since ancient times propolis
has been widely used for diverse purposes. Currently, the activity, effects and possible applications of propolis in biology
and medicine are being investigated, with an emphasis on their use as a dietary supplement, as well as their possible
applications within the pharmaceutical industry.
In this work a review on the properties of propolis in the treatment and prevention of different types of diseases has been
carried out. After a brief review of the origin and composition of propolis, an exhaustive bibliographical search of its
properties, the parameters used to evaluate its quality, and its possible indirect effects has been carried out. According
to the studies reviewed, the effectiveness of propolis lays mainly in its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial
activities.
KEY WORDS: Propolis. Biological activity. Review of studies.
INTRODUCCIÓN INTRODUCTION
Se da el nombre de própolis, en griego signi- The term propolis originates from Greek and
fica defensor de la ciudad, entendida ésta como means defender of the city. With respect to bee-
sinónimo de colmena, a una resina cérea, de hives, it is understood as being synonymous with
composición compleja y consistencia viscosa, que a wax like resin with a complex composition of
las abejas elaboran y utilizan en la construcción, viscous consistency, produced by bees for use in
reparación, aislamiento y protección de la col- the construction, repair, insulation and protec-
mena1-4. tion of the hive 1-4.
Las abejas (Apis mellifera), recogen con sus Bees (Apis mellifera), collect resinous parti-
mandíbulas, partículas resinosas de las yemas, cles from leaf buds, shoots and petioles of lea-
brotes y pecíolos de las hojas de diferentes ve- ves from different vegetables (elm, poplar, willow,
getales (olmo, álamo, sauce, abedul, castaño de birch, hoarse chestnut, pine, fir, oak trees and
Indias, pino, abeto, roble y algunas herbáceas) some herbaceous plants) with their mandibles,
que, una vez en la colmena, mezclan con cera y which once introduced into the hive are mixed
secreciones salivares para obtener el própolis, with wax and salivary secretions, in order to obtain
cuya producción anual (10-300 g/colmena) di- propolis. Annual production (10-300g/hive) va-
fiere en función de la variedad de abejas, el cli- ries in accordance with the variety of bee, the
ma, la flora y el dispositivo de recogida3,5,6 . climate, the flora and the collection mechanism
Gracias a su contenido en aceites esenciales, used3,5,6 .
el própolis suele ser aromático y en función de Thanks to its content in essential oils, propo-
su origen botánico y de la época de recolección, lis is usually aromatic and, in accordance with
difiere en color (de amarillo claro a castaño its botanical origin and the season in which it is
oscuro), sabor (amargo, ligeramente picante o harvested, varies in colour (from light yellow to
insípido) y consistencia1,3,7. El própolis se recoge dark chestnut), taste (bitter, slightly spicy or
de las colmenas por medio de trampas o raspa- insipid), or consistency1,3,7. Propolis is collected
do, siendo el entrampado el método que ofrece from beehives through the use of traps or through
mejor calidad y menor contaminación8, la reco- scraping methods. However, it is the use of traps
lección se hace antes de la llegada del invierno from which the highest quality propolis is obtai-
en las regiones templadas y, en los climas tropi- ned, due to a lower degree of contamination8.
cales, al inicio de la estación lluviosa, cuando la Harvesting is carried out before the arrival of
propolización parece más activa3. Tanto en la the winter season in the temperate climates, while
recolección como en el procesado deben aplicar- in tropical zones, harvesting takes place on com-
se rigurosas normas de higiene para evitar la mencement of the rainy season, which is the period
contaminación y la subsiguiente pérdida del va- when propolis production appears to be more
lor comercial del producto8. active3. As much in the collection, as well in
Al igual que la miel, el própolis se conoce processing, rigorous standards of hygiene should
desde la más remota antigüedad y ha sido am- be applied, in order to avoid contamination of
pliamente utilizado por diferentes culturas con the product and the subsequent loss of its com-
diversas finalidades, entre ellas en medicina1,3,4. mercial value8.
Con el posterior desarrollo de la química farma- As in the case of honey, propolis has been
céutica, y al igual que ocurrió con los tratamien- known to mankind from the remotest of ancient
tos fitoterápicos, el própolis dejó prácticamente times and has been widely used by different
de utilizarse. Recientemente, se observa un re- cultures for differing purposes, among which its
surgir en su uso y actualmente se investigan sus use in medicine is included1,3,4 . However, since
acciones, efectos y posibles usos en biología y the subsequent development of pharmaceutical
medicina, entre los que destacan su aplicación chemistry, as has equally occurred in case of
como suplemento dietético y en la industria far- phytotherapeutic treatments, propolis practically
macéutica3,4,7,9. fell into disuse. However, more recently there
En este trabajo se revisan las pruebas dispo- has been a resurgence in its use, and currently,
nibles sobre las propiedades del própolis en el research is being carried out on its activity, effects
tratamiento y prevención de distintos tipos de and possible uses in biology and medicine. The
trastornos y para ello se hace un breve repaso most prominent are its application as a dietary
del origen y la composición del própolis y más supplement and its use in the pharmaceutical
exhaustivo de la información bibliográfica dis- industry3,4,7,9 .
ponible sobre sus propiedades. In the present work, the evidences available
on the properties of propolis in the treatment
and prevention of varying types of disorders are
revised, and in order to do so, a brief revision of
the origin and composition of propolis, as well
as a more exhaustive appraisal of the literature
compuestos característicos que podrían ser de typical compounds (pinobankosin and prenyl
utilidad para la identificación de su origen. caffeate) in propolis from P.nigra 12. Turkish20,
Egyptian 21-23, Brazilian 14,18,24 , Chilean 25-26 and
Cuban14 propolis from different botanical origins,
show varied compositions, and in some cases
characteristic compounds which could be useful
in the identification of origin.
En el própolis (Tabla 2) se han aislado más In propolis (Table 2) over 180 compounds
de 180 compuestos. Sus principales componen- have been isolated. Its main components are resins
tes son resinas y bálsamos que contienen flavo- and balsams, which contain flavonoids and phe-
noides y ácidos fenólicos o sus ésteres (50%); nolic acids or their esters (50%); highly variable
contenidos muy variables de ceras (7.5-35%) que wax contents (7.5-35%), which affect the corres-
afectarán a los correspondientes restantes com- ponding remaining components; volatile oils
ponentes; aceites volátiles (10%); polen (5%) e (10%); pollen (5%) and impurities (4.4-19.5%).
impurezas (4.4-19.5%). Además contienen pe- Additionally, they contain small quantities of
queñas cantidades de terpenos, taninos, restos de terpens, tannins, traces of secretions from the
la secreción de las glándulas salivares de las abejas salivary glands of bees and possible contami-
y posibles contaminantes. Los compuestos acti- nants. The active compounds are the flavanoids
vos son los flavonoides que incluyen flavonas, which include flavons, flavanols, flavonons and
flavonoles, flavononas y flavononoles. Debe se- flavononols. It should be pointed out that most
ñalarse que la mayoría de los estudios no preten- of the studies carried out have not been aimed at
den determinar la composición química comple- determining a complete chemical composition,
ta, sino tan sólo algunos componentes de interés, but have merely determined some of the compo-
en especial los flavonoides3,27. nents of interest, particularly the flavonoids3,27.
Ars Pharmaceutica, 45:1; 21-43, 2004
EL PRÓPOLIS Y LA SALUD 25
Actividad antioxidante
Anti-oxidant activity
El própolis es una fuente natural de antioxi-
dantes, que protegen a los aceites y lipoproteí- Propolis is a natural source of anti-oxidants,
nas séricas de la oxidación3,35. Sus propiedades that protect oils and serum lipoproteins from
antioxidantes se deben a su actividad antiradica- oxidation3,35. Its anti-oxidant properties are due
laria (radicales alcoxi y, en menor grado, supe- to its anti-radical activity (alcoxi radicals and to
róxido) y al efecto inhibidor sobre el ión cupro- a lesser extent, superoxide) and an inhibiting effect
so, iniciador de la oxidación de las lipoproteínas on the cuprous ion, an initiator of the oxidation
de baja densidad36,37. En los própolis brasileño y of low density lipoproteins36,37 . In Brazilian and
chino, los extractos acuosos muestran mayor chinese propolis, the aqueous extracts have shown
actividad antiradicalaria que los metanólicos y greater anti-radical activity than the methanolic
lo contrario ocurre con los de origen holandés o extracts. The contrary was found to be true of
peruano38. extracts from Dutch or Peruvian origin38.
El própolis ejerce efectos antioxidantes en el Propolis exerts anti-oxidant effects on the colon,
colon, disminuyendo la concentración de hidro- reducing the concentration of lipid hydroperoxi-
peroxidasas lipídicas y, como algunos de sus com- de concentration, and as some of its compounds
ponentes se absorben y pasan a la circulación, are absorbed and enter into circulation, they act
actúan como antioxidantes hidrofílicos y aumen- as hydrophilic anti-oxidants and increase tissue
tan la concentración tisular de vitamina C39. concentration of vitamin C39.
En pacientes con episodios isquémicos el In patients with ischemic episodes, propolis
própolis parece reducir el riesgo de accidentes seems to reduce the risk of cerebal-vascular ac-
cerebro-vasculares40 . cidents40.
El propólis es activo frente a numerosos mi- Propolis is active against numerous microor-
croorganismos Bacillus larvae, B. subtilis, B. de ganisms; Bacillus larvae, B. subtilis, B. de Koch,
coccus β -haemolyticus) y que sólo actúan frente In vitro tests have demonstrated that propolis
a algunas bacterias gram (–) como Escherichia extracts are more effective against gram (+) coccii
coli o Pseudomonas aeuruginosa 48. En cambio, (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus β-haemo-
otros estudios41,42, indican que los efectos bacte- lyticus), but are only active against some gram
riostáticos o bactericidas del própolis dependen (–) bacteria, such as Escherichia coli or Pseudo-
de la dosis y que las bacterias aeróbicas gram monas aeuruginosa48. On the other hand, other
(–) también se inhiben a concentraciones supe- studies41,42, have indicated that the bacteriostatic
riores a 2.8 mg/ml. Así pues, los extractos de or bactericidal effects of propolis depend on the
própolis inhiben significativamente a todos los dose and that gram (–) aerobic bacteria may also
microorganismos, en especial a las especies de be inhibited at concentrations higher than 2.8mg/
Actinomyces49 y durante su almacenamiento dis- ml. In summary, propolis extracts significantly
minuyen los contenidos de flavonoides y por tanto inhibit all micro-organisms, especially the Acti-
también su capacidad inhibidora50. nomyces species 49. However, during its storage
Los disolventes y el método de extracción flavonoid content reduces and consequently, its
utilizado pueden modificar la actividad antimi- inhibiting capacity50.
crobiana del própolis3,51. Los extractos etanóli- The solvent and the method of extraction used
cos al 60-80% inhiben el crecimiento microbia- may modify the anti-microbial activity of propo-
no, al 70-80% tienen una mayor actividad lis3,51. Ethanolic extracts at 60-80% inhibit mi-
antioxidante y al 80% inactivan mayoritariamente crobial growth, at 70-80% they have higher an-
a la hialuronidasa52 . Los extractos acuosos indu- tioxidant activity and at 80% render hyaluronidase
cen una protección no específica frente a bacte- mainly inactive52. Aqueous extracts induce a non-
rias gram (-) como Klebsiella neumoniae, Pro- specific protection against gram (-) bacteria, such
teus vulgaris, Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas as Klebsiella neumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Es-
aeruginosa3 y tanto los extractos etanólicos como cherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa3. Both
los acuosos son activos en la periodontitis bac- the ethanolic and the aqueous extracts are active
teriana, probablemente gracias al efecto sinérgi- in bacterial periondontitis, probably due to the
co de varios compuestos53. sinergic effect of various compounds53.
Los própolis centroeuropeos (Alemania, Francia Central European propolis (Germany, France
y Austria), con composiciones cualitativas simi- and Austria), with similar qualitative composi-
lares y predominio del ácido trans-p-cumárico, tions and a predominance of trans-p-coumaric
muestran actividad frente a Candida albicans43 acid, show activity against Candida albicans43,
mientras que los mediterráneos (Bulgaria, Tur- while Mediterranean varieties (Bulgaria, Turkey,
quía, Grecia y Argelia), que contienen flavonoi- Greece and Algeria), that contain flavonoids, esters
des, ésteres del ácido cafeico y ácidos ferúlicos, of caffeic acid and ferulic acids, present anti-
presenta menor actividad antifúngica44. Por su fungal activity to a lesser extent44 . Egyptian pro-
parte, el própolis egipcio de Dakahlia, con dos polis from Dakahlia, with two caffeate esters and
ésteres de cafeato y dos triterpenoides, es más two triterpenoids, is more active against Candi-
activo frente a Candida albicans que el de Is- da albicans than the variety from Ismailia, whi-
mailia que no contiene ácidos aromáticos, ni ch does not contain aromatic acids, esters, or
ésteres, ni flavonoides22 y, estudios sobre la in- flavonoids22. Studies on the incidence of para-
cidencia de la paracoccidiomicosis en América coccidiomycosis in Latin America suggest that,
latina, sugieren que, independientemente de su independently of geographical origin, macropha-
origen geográfico, los macrófagos estimulados ges stimulated with propolis increase fungicidal
con própolis aumentan su actividad fungicida54. activity54.
El própolis muestra, en distintos grados, efectos Propolis shows, in varying degrees, fungici-
fungicidas frente a numerosas especies como dal effects against numerous species such as
Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Botrytis Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Botrytis
cinerea, Ascosphaera apis y Plasmopara vitico- cinerea, Ascosphaera apis and Plasmopara vi-
la 3. La mayor inhibición observada, 50% en to- ticola 3. The highest degree of inhibition obser-
das las especies estudiadas, corresponde a una ved, 50% in all of the species studied, corres-
concentración de própolis del 4% y los microor- ponded to a propolis concentration of 4% and
ganismos más afectados son la Alternaria alter- the most affected microorganisms are Alternaria
nata y el Penicillium digitatum 55. alternata and Penicillium digitatum 55.
La mayor inhibición sobre hongos patógenos The highest degree of inhibition on pathoge-
se observa en Trichophyton metagrophytes, Can- nic fungi was observed in Trichophyton meta-
dida albicans y Malassezia pachydermatis42 y, grophytes, Candida albicans and Malassezia
en el género Candida, el efecto del própolis pachydermatis42 , and on the Candida genus. The
depende de las especies, siendo de mayor a menor effect of propolis depends on the species concer-
en C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei y C. ned, and in order of greatest to least effect is C.
guilliermondii 56. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. guillier-
El diluyente del própolis, aceite, etanol, pro- mondii56.
pilenglicol o glicerina también influye en su Diluents of propolis; oil, ethanol, propilen-
actividad antifúngica 51. glycol or glycerin, also influence its anti-fungal
Al comparar la actividad antifúngica de los activity 51.
extractos etanólicos de própolis con la de la gri- On comparison of anti-fungal activity of etha-
seofulvina, frente a dos variedades de Aspergi- nolic extracts of propolis with those of griseofulvin,
llus flavus, se comprueba que, ambas sustancias, against two varieties of Aspergillus flavus, it can
reducen la masa micelar seca, la germinación de be seen that both substances reduce dry micellar
conidios, el crecimiento y la producción de afla- mass, the germination of conidia, the growth and
toxina B1, tanto más cuanto mayor sea su con- production of aflatoxin B1, the greater the con-
centración y que, a igualdad de ésta, la griseoful- centration the greater the effect. However, to the
vina es cuatro veces más eficaz que el própolis 57. same measure, griseofluvin is four times more
En cambio, frente a Candida albicans en muco- effective than propolis57. On the other hand, against
sa oral, el extracto etanólico de própolis al 20% Candida albicans in oral mucose, the ethanolic
se muestra tan efectivo como la nistatina y supe- extract of propolis at 20% has been shown to be
ra a otros antifúngicos (clotrimazol, econazol y as effective as nistatin. In comparison with other
fluconazol) que presentan resistencias 58. fungicides (clotrimazole, econazole & flucona-
zole), to which fungi present resistence, propolis
has been shown to be more effective58.
Actividad antiviral
Remineralizante del esmalte dentario: “in vi- Re-mineralisation of the enamel of teeth: in
tro”, las soluciones de própolis incrementan sig- “in vitro” tests, propolis solutions significantly
nificativamente el valor del test de dureza de increase values obtained in the Vickers hardness
Vickers80 . test80 .
Estrogénica: estudios “in vitro”, con células Estrogenics: “in vitro” studies with MCF-7
MCF-7 procedentes de cáncer de mama humano, cells from human breast cancers, treated with
tratadas con extractos etanólicos y etéreos de ethanolic and ether extracts of propolis, show
própolis demuestran que ambos compiten por los that both compete for estrogenic receptors and
receptores estrogénicos y disminuyen la prolife- therefore, decrease cell proliferation. “In vivo”
ración celular. “In vivo, incrementan de forma studies have shown that on a dose dependant
significativa y de manera dosis-dependiente el basis, propolis significantly increases the weight
peso del útero de rata, por lo que se concluye of the uterus in rats. It has therefore been con-
que el própolis es capaz de activar a los recep- cluded that it is capable of activating estrogenic
tores estrogénicos81. receptors81.
Fitoinhibidora: los extractos de própolis inhi- Phytoinhibitor: propolis extracts inhibit the
ben la germinación de plantas y semillas3. germination of plants and seeds3.
INDICACIONES INDICATIONS
Tradicionalmente y desde muy antiguo el Traditionally, and since very ancient times,
própolis se ha utilizado en Europa y norte de propolis has been used in Europe and North Africa
África para la curación de las heridas y el trata- in the treatment of wounds, mouth and throat
miento de las infecciones de boca y garganta, así infections, as well as in tooth cavities. In sub-
como de la caries. En el África sub-sahariana se Saharan Africa, it is still used for medicinal
utiliza todavía con fines medicinales y en otras purposes and for other varying applications.
variadas aplicaciones. In the technology of foodstuffs, its antioxi-
En tecnología alimentaria las propiedades dant, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties may
antioxidantes, antimicrobianas y antifúngicas del offer a great variety of applications, with the
própolis pueden ofrecer una gran variedad de advantage that its residues may be beneficial to
aplicaciones, con la ventaja de que sus residuos human health. Its use; as a preservative in frozen
pueden ser beneficiosos para la salud humana. fish, in the treatment of post-harvested foodstu-
Se ha propuesto su uso como conservante del ffs, in the preserving of fruit, as well as its appli-
pescado congelado y en el tratamiento post-co- cation as a pesticide and fungicide is at a study
secha y de conservación de frutas y su aplica- phase. However, insufficient studies have been
ción como pesticida y fungicida están en fase de carried out on the possible long term effects derived
estudio. No obstante faltan estudios sobre los from its consumption3.
posibles efectos a largo plazo derivados de su In veterinary medicine, it is used to heal wounds
consumo3. and in the treatment of many pathologies, such
En medicina veterinaria se utiliza para cica- as diarrhoeas, abscesses, burns, dermatosis, mas-
trizar heridas y en el tratamiento de muchas titis, coccidiosis and eimeria in rabbits, etc.
patologías, tales como diarreas, abcesos, quema- Additionally, it is used in weight gain programs
duras, dermatosis, mastitis, coccidiosis y eime- for unweaned calves and egg-laying hens3.
riasis de los conejos, etc. y también para mejorar
la ganancia de peso de los terneros lactantes y
de las gallinas ponedoras3. The healing of wounds
En própolis brasileño se ha comprobado que tumours and leukemic cells88. Its intratumoral
los derivados carbono prenilados de ácidos p- injection (500 µg, three times per week) causes
cumáricos actúan contra el hepatocarcinoma, que apoptosis, abortive mytosis and massive necro-
los prenetil éster del ácido cafeico y del metil sis in human malignant tumorous cells. Further-
cafeato inhiben el cáncer de mama y el melano- more, together with the suppression of tumoral
ma11 y que, en ensayos in vitro, la artepilina C growth, an increase in the quotient of T CD4/
muestra actividad antibacteriana y, causa daños CD8 cells and the total number of T-helper cells
significativos sobre tumores sólidos y células was seen to occur. This indicates that artepilina
leucémicas88 y, su inyección intratumoral (500 C acts upon the immunological system and pos-
µg tres veces por semana), provoca apoptosis, sesses direct anti-tumoral activity with cytotoxic
mitosis abortiva y necrosis masiva en células effects and inhibits tumoral cell growth88.
humanas tumorales malignas. Además, junto con Both propolis and artepilina C inhibit lipid
la supresión del crecimiento tumoral se produjo peroxidation and the development of pulmonary
un incremento del cociente de células T CD4/ cancers, prevent the progression of adenomas and
CD8 y del número total de células T-helper que carcimonas89 and prevent oxidation and carcino-
indican que la artepilina C actúa sobre el siste- genesis induced by nitrile ferric triacetate in mice90.
ma inmunológico y que posee una actividad After having established, in several previous
antitumoral directa, con efectos citotóxicos e studies, that the caffeic acid esters in propolis
inhibidores del crecimiento de las células tumo- inhibit tumoral growth, both in human colonic
rales88. adenocarcinoma, as in pre-cancerous wounds
Tanto el própolis como la artepilina C inhi- induced in rat colons, the possible effect of a
ben la peroxidación lipídica y el desarrollo de diet with added propolis (750 ppm of phenyle-
cánceres pulmonares, evitan la progresión de los thyl-3-methylcaffeate) on the carcinogenisis in-
adenomas a carcinomas89 y previenen frente a la duced by subcutaneous azoxymethane in colonic
oxidación y carcinogénesis inducida por triace- mucose in male rats was studied. It was found
tato férrico de nitrilo en ratones90. that methylcaffeate significantly inhibits invasi-
Tras haber establecido, en diversos estudios ve and non-invasive multiplicity of colonic
previos, que los ésteres del ácido cafeico del adenocarcinomas by reducing by half, with res-
própolis inhiben el crecimiento tumoral, tanto en pect to control groups, colonic mucose activity,
células de adenocarcinoma colónico humano como arachidonic acid production and the volume of
en lesiones precancerosas inducidas en colon de the tumor91 .
rata, se ensaya el posible efecto de una dieta a la It is suggested that propolis exerts a protecti-
que se ha adicionado própolis (750 ppm de feni- ve effect in colonic carcinogenesis, preventing
letil-3-metilcafeato) sobre la carcinogénesis in- the development of preneoplasic lesions, given
ducida por azoximetano subcutáneo en la muco- that a dose of 30 mg/kg of ethanolic extract,
sa colónica de ratas macho, observándose que el administered after exposure to a cancerous agent
metilcafeato inhibe de forma significativa la in- (1,2 dimethylhydrazine), is strongly associated
cidencia y la multiplicidad, invasiva y no inva- with a reduction in the number of aberrant crypts
siva, de los adenocarcinomas de colon, disminu- in the distal colon92.
yendo, casi a la mitad respecto a los controles, la
actividad de la mucosa colónica, la producción
de ácido araquidónico y el volumen del tumor91. Ophthalmology
Se sugiere que el própolis ejerce un efecto
protector en la carcinogénesis colónica, evitando Propolis, rich in antioxidants, prevents 70%
el desarrollo de las lesiones preneoplásicas, ya of cases of cataract formation induced by expo-
que una dosis de 30 mg/kg de extracto etanólico, sure to selenites93.
administrada tras la exposición a un agente can- After inducing corneal lesions with sodium
cerígeno (1,2 dimetilhidrazina) se asocia de forma hydroxide or silver nitrate in a group of rabbits,
significativa a una disminución del número de topical treatments with propolis extracts or dexa-
criptas aberrantes en el colon distal92. methasone were applied. Similar results were
obtained for both substances94,95.
atribuye a los ácidos cafeico y ferúlico y a sus evaluation of its quality. Although different coun-
ésteres y, en menor cuantía, a las agliconas fla- tries have official parameters available to deter-
vónicas y en el brasileño se relaciona con dos mine such an evaluation, tests to measure its
derivados del ácido dicafeoilquinoico (ácido 3,4- biological activity are scarce 3,36. In order for the
dicafeoilquinoico y su metil éster)11 . quality of propolis to be considered as high, the
following requisites should be fulfilled11:
1. It should be free from toxic contaminants.
EVALUACIÓN DE LA CALIDAD 2. It should contain low percentages of wax,
insoluble materials and ash.
Las múltiples y variadas propiedades benefi- 3. Its botanical origin should be defined, in
ciosas para la salud del própolis, que dependen order to determine its active compounds.
de sus componentes, justifican la necesidad de 4. It should have a high content in active prin-
una correcta evaluación de su calidad, y si bien ciples.
distintos países disponen de parámetros oficiales In the evaluation of the quality of propolis, in
para dicha evaluación, son escasos los ensayos addition to a visual inspection of its physical
de que se disponen para medir su actividad bio- and organoleptical characteristics (appearance,
lógica 3,36. Para que la calidad de un própolis se consistency, origin, colour or smell (see Table
considere buena debe cumplir los siguientes re- 3), which provide a subjective appreciation of
quisitos 11: the product and an indication of quality to a certain
1. Estar libre de contaminantes tóxicos. degree, the contents of its active principles should
2. Contener bajos porcentajes de cera, mate- be determined, in order to provide a real and
ria insoluble y cenizas. objective evaluation11,105 .
3. Definir su procedencia botánica para de-
terminar el tipo de compuestos activos.
4. Tener contenidos elevados de principios
activos.
Por ello, para evaluar la calidad del própolis
además de la inspección visual de sus caracterís-
ticas físicas y organolépticas (aspecto, consis-
tencia, sabor, origen, color u olor), véase la Tabla
3, que proporcionan una apreciación subjetiva
del producto y cierta relación con su calidad real,
se deben determinar los contenidos de principios
activos que permiten una evaluación real y obje-
tiva 11,105.
TABLA 3: Características organolépticas que permiten evaluar la calidad del própolis 105
Para caracterizar muestras brutas de própolis In the characterisation of raw samples of pro-
se propone determinar los contenidos de: fenoles polis, it is proposed that content of the following
totales, flavonoides, ceras, cenizas, compuestos compounds should be determined: Total phe-
volátiles y residuo seco. En el caso de las tintu- nols, flavonoids, wax, ash, volatile compounds
ras se determinan los fenoles totales, los flavo- and dry residue. In the case of tinctures, total
noides, las ceras, la densidad y el etanol106. En el phenols, flavonoids, waxes, density and ethanol
Tabla 4 se muestran los parámetros analíticos should be determined106. In table 4, the analyti-
que definen la calidad del própolis. cal parameters that define the quality of propolis
are shown.
El test de identidad consiste en tres reaccio- The identity test consists of three simultaneous
nes químicas simultáneas que comprueban la chemical reactions which check for the presence
presencia de principios activos (fenoles totales) of active principles (total phenols) in resins and
en las resinas y, por tanto, permiten establecer el therefore, check the percentage of soluble resins
porcentaje de resinas solubles en etanol y, esta- in ethanol and establish the yield of propolis and
blecer el rendimiento del própolis y su residuo its residue after extraction with solvents. The
tras la extracción con disolventes. El porcentaje percentage of wax and mechanical impurities
de cera e impurezas mecánicas indica la fracción indicate the fraction of substances which are of
sin utilidad práctica y, a mayor porcentaje, me- no practical utility. The higher the percentage,
nor calidad del producto. the lower the quality of the product will be.
La reacción de Shinoda, sirve para detectar The Shinoda reaction, serves in the detection
flavonoides y el índice de oxidación, determina- of flavonoids and the index of oxidation. Such a
ción que se incluye en las normas de calidad de determination is included in the quality standards
varios países (Rusia, Cuba y Rumania), evalúa in numerous countries (Russia, Cuba and Ruma-
su poder antioxidante frente al permanganato nia). The test evaluates antioxidant power against
potásico y, a mayor velocidad, mejor calidad del potassium permanganate, where the greater the
própolis105. velocity of the reaction, the higher the quality of
El índice de oxidación depende de los com- the propolis will be 105.
puestos fenólicos y, en menor medida, de los The index of oxidation is dependant on the
ácidos grasos insaturados de cadena larga. Muestras phenolic compounds and to a lesser extent, the
de própolis con un contenido de compuestos unsaturated long chain fatty acids. Samples of
fenólicos superior al 7% tienen índices de oxida- propolis with a content of phenolic compounds
ción inferiores a los 22 segundos 107. over 7%, present oxidation indices of less than
La dificultad para establecer normas comu- 22 seconds107.
nes de control de calidad es un gran impedimen- The difficulty in establishing common quali-
to para la comercialización del própolis. ty control standards is a great impediment in the
commercialisation of propolis.
EFECTOS SECUNDARIOS
SIDE EFFECTS
El própolis es relativamente atóxico, dosis
diarias de 1400 mg/kg no causan ningún efecto Propolis is relatively atoxic. Daily doses of
negativo en ratones, aunque masticar grandes 1400mg/kg have no negative effect in mice.
cantidades de própolis en bruto puede producir However, chewing large quantities of raw pro-
náuseas y trastornos digestivos 3, a los apiculto- polis can produce nausea and digestive disor-
res a menudo les produce dolor de cabeza al ders3. Apiarists often suffer from headaches while
inspeccionar las colmenas 63 y no son infrecuen- inspecting beehives63 , and allergic reactions are
tes las reacciones alérgicas4, en particular al cafeato not uncommon 4, particularly to isoprenyl caffea-
de isoprenilo 108. te 108.
Antes de iniciar un tratamiento con própolis Before initiating propolis treatment, an aller-
conviene realizar una prueba de alergia, bien por gy test should be carried out, either through a
aplicación tópica del producto en el antebrazo o topical application of the product on the forearm,
por vía oral adoptando las debidas precauciones. or orally, after the appropriate precautions have
been taken.
CONCLUSIONES
CONCLUSIONS
Desde muy antiguo el própolis se ha utiliza-
do, de forma empírica, en el tratamiento de Propolis has been used empirically in the treat-
múltiples patologías. En la actualidad el avance ment of multiple pathologies since ancient ti-
de las técnicas analíticas ha permitido conocer mes. In the present day, subsequent to the ad-
mejor su composición y estudiar la actividad de vancement of analytical techniques, greater
sus componentes. Los resultados obtenidos con- knowledge concerning its composition is availa-
firman su eficacia, principalmente, como antioxi- ble, permitting the study of the activity of its
dante, antiinflamatorio y antimicrobiano. compounds to be carried out. The results obtai-
ned confirm its effectiveness, mainly, as an an-
tioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial
agent.
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